Tshana (Guiswite) Jamara ’09
Broadcasting major
Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania

Contributed by Erin Kriner ’09

As a broadcasting major with an emphasis in production, Tshana Jamara ’09 took full advantage of her Philadelphia campus experience by landing an internship at the local ABC television affiliate, WPVI-TV, Channel 6. 

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Lacey Ward ′09
English major with an emphasis in literature, and a minor in Urban Studies
Catasauqua, Pennsylvania

Throughout the 2009 academic year, Lacey Ward hit the streets and the books as both a student at Messiah’s Philadelphia Campus [MCPC] and a teacher’s assistant at William Penn High School, ultimately earning her the right to stand among Philadelphia’s finest young educators.  Now, as she prepares for her greatest challenge—the Philadelphia Teaching Fellows program—Ward looks back to what got her started on this unexpected journey. Read the rest of this entry »

Ryan Witmer ′09
Environmental Studies major
Hometown:  Wooster, Ohio

Planting gardens in abandoned lots strewn among Philadelphia’s economically disadvantaged neighborhoods is more than a beautification project. To Ryan Witmer ‘09, and others studying at Messiah College’s Philadelphia campus (MCPC), the ongoing service project is an effective way of combating gang warfare, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, in addition to supporting ecological sustainability among the historic city’s 30,000+ vacant lots. Read the rest of this entry »

Paul Gustafson ’09
Engineering major
Chester, Vermont

“Whatever your plans are for the summer, cancel them. I’ve got the best job for you that you’ll ever have.” Those immortal words—etched indelibly in Paul Gustafson’s memory—led to a once-in-a-lifetime experience for this Messiah engineering major and honors program participant.

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Melissa Paolangeli ′09
Communications major
Hometown: Centreville, Virginia

Five-year old Melissa Paolangeli watched world-renowned operatic tenor Placido Domingo sing “Look through the Window” on the classic PBS program Sesame Street and felt a spark. By age 19, she was writing press releases, planning press conferences, and promoting one of Washington D.C.’s premier social events – all on the singer’s behalf. Read the rest of this entry »

Jennifer Esbenshade ′11
Chemistry and Math double major
Hometown: Peach Bottom, Pennsylvania

When Jennifer, a double chemistry and mathematics major, isn’t hitting the books, leading an organic chemistry supplemental instruction session, setting up physics labs, working on a water filtration project through the Collaboratory, or even conducting nanotechnology research for the U.S. Department of Energy, she’s among friends—the canine kind—in Peach Bottom, Pennsylvania. Read the rest of this entry »

Nicolas Hernandez ’09
Economics major
Hometown: Bogotá, Colombia

Nicolas Hernandez ’09 is a living testament to the enduring faculty-student bonds developed at Messiah College and how those relationships can span generations.

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Brittany Brendsel ′08
Sociology and international development major/concentration in anthropology
Hometown: BigFork, Montana

The day 17-year-old Brittany Brendsel ′08 came across Messiah College’s Epicenter website (http://www.messiah.edu/academics/epicenter)
and learned she could improve the lives of others around the globe, she knew her path was determined … by God.

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